Why is it that

[haysi06]

people seem to communicate more readily via the internet, than they do in real life? I travel quite a lot because of my job and I see people on trains and aeroplanes who either have their i-pod on, their lappy on or their head stuck in a newspaper. No one seems to strike up conversations anymore. I am naturally shy (yes I am) but I usually nod or say hello to someone but in recent years I think that there has been a shift and people just dont want to chat. (ok, maybe not to a smiling idiot like me!) However, on the internet people chat to everyone and anyone for hours on end! :) Hxx

[weeal]

The Internet is a god-send for shy people, its so much easier to hide behind an avatar or username I suppose for some people.

[BigMac]

I don't wish to be rude, but would you mind terribly if we didn't talk?

You see, I'm trying to finish a particularly difficult crossword.

Thanks.

[Drisgirl]

I know what you mean Hays -I am one of those terminally annoying people who has to talk -even if it mean they have to take their ear-plugs out to listen to me -but I like chatting away to people.

Yip so I agree the art of converstaion is dying.

[weeal]

Dris - I thought you had more *interesting*' things to do from 9pm - lol

[haysi06]

weeal - I totally agree with you.

BigMac - PMSL, thats what I am talking about!

Dris - yes indeed it is dying. However I do enjoy internet banter too LOL!

[haysi06]

Oh YEAH Dris, I thought you had someone better to do! LOL!

[weeal]

tee hee we got good memories girl !

[legend759]

I think people use the internet to say things they wouldnt normally.i cant believe youre shy haysi.surely you jest?dris what u been up to now dafty?

[Goodsoulette]

Hey Haysi, whilst travelling I never want to chat. I'll smile at and chat with old people and if I am with the kids I'll talk but nothing pees me off more when I am sat on the bus or train minding my own business, reading and listening to music and someone persists in talking to me.

Dris, you are my nightmare train companion. Believe it or not I can get sick of talking to the point where I just stop midsentence and don't continue.

[Louisa 69]

I think sometimes folks just want to keep to themselves, kind of sad really.
People come onto the net for the social interaction but sitting on a bus the idea of chatting to a stranger can be pretty off putting as you don't know what you could be getting yourself into lol. I think we've all heard stories of folk getting stuck beside someone on a plane who yaps away about all their illnesses, operations,how often they have a bowl movement ...etc lol

[whiffey]

haysi how is Scottyland the noo ?

I expect you were wanting loads of sensible answers to your wee question. Can you ever forgive me ?

[EngTeach]

I am like Dris too. I will talk to the lamp post. The internet is fun and I think the anonymity makes it easier for people.

That's why I am a teacher: I get paid to talk all day long and have a captive audience :)

[Drisgirl]

Aww cheers English Teacher !!

Goody -I can take a hint tho -I know when someone is not interacrting with me and I can clam up.(I know hard to believe-but I just take a huff -lol)

To Hays and weeal -shortly -he is just relaxing but he has intimated - and I quote 'Youre getting it' -they doooo serve a purpose after all -wa haaay
So when I stop posting -you know where I am -lol

[sense4all]

I talk to people on the Tube, tapdance in lifts if it's just me an' a miserable git, and wave like a loon when everyone glares as you enter the Doc's surgery.

[shanx]

its good when they say they are going to bed then stay here , something must be a little bit interesting , ( well maybe not]

[haysi06]

:) Thanks for your comments everyone. I have a lot of trips coming up over Feb/March and am going to make a concerted effort to strike up a conversation with people on the train etc No doubt I will end up with a maddy LOL! Or else they will think that I am a maddy which is more probable. And yes I am extremely shy (in real life) but am going to give it a go!

Hxx